Understanding Meditation. Part 4.

Saturday, March 27, 2010

While in the process of acquiring knowledge on meditation, let us simultaneously begin some practice. The important factors for meditation are observation of breath and posture. The discussion on vijnana Bhairava is based on breath and concentration. There is a definite distinction between kundalini meditation and ordinary mediation. If one practices regular meditation, kundalini will ascend automatically, chakra after chakra. In the initial stages of mediation, observation of breath is important. Generally when we breathe in, our stomach also goes in and when we breathe out our stomach expands. Though there is no connection between stomach and breath, due to the movement of diaphragm, abdominal area expands and contracts. Diaphragm is a flat muscle that separates the thoracic and abdominal cavities. It is situated just below the lungs and supports them. When we breathe in, the lungs expand pushing the diaphragm down. When the diaphragm moves down to accommodate the expanded lungs, the abdominal area is expanded to accommodate the diaphragm. During exhalation, the lungs are contracted to expel the entire air inside. When the stomach is pulled in during exhalation, the diaphragm moves up making the lungs to constrict, enabling them to expel the entire air within. The air that we breathe in should reach the end points of the lungs called alveoli, the primary gas exchange units of the lungs. Oxygen is sent to the blood through the surrounding network of capillaries of alveoli, and carbon dioxide is absorbed from the body by the reverse route. Based upon this medical definition, deep inhalation and exhalation is advised.

Let us now observe our normal breathing. If a palm is kept on the abdominal area, we can observe our way of breathing. Our palm should move out while inhaling and should move in while exhaling, synchronising with the movement of the abdominal area. If we are not breathing as above, we have to practice the right way of breathing, which is also known as yogic breathing. We can take any comfortable posture, sitting, standing or even lying down in supine position. At this point, we have to fix our consciousness only on the breathing and not on the posture. Inhale deeply to fill the lungs. While inhaling, push the diaphragm down, which automatically makes the abdominal area to bloat. Please do not hold the breath. Now exhale by pushing up the diaphragm. Alternatively, the stomach can be pulled in, which makes the diaphragm to move up. When this is practiced regularly our normal breathing itself changes to yogic breathing. It is not necessary that deep breathing should be practiced always. Deep breathing should be practiced only in empty stomach, preferably in the morning or late in the evening. When someone is tired and feels exhausted, deep breathing helps. During deep breathing, brain gets adequate oxygen supply.

Please practice this: During our routine life, we pay cash for various purposes, like purchasing grocery, fruits and vegetables or to a cab driver or any other services. While making the payment, pray for a moment that the person who receives money from us should prosper well along with his family, both monetarily and physically. A whole hearted prayer like this not only makes the other person to prosper, but also makes us to prosper as well. We can also feel the real happiness within, a sort of cloud nine situation.